I

n an attempt to fight corruption, the National Police chief promised a pay rise for the police rank and file.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian promised that the police allowances would be increased by up to 70 percent to take effect immediately.

“The [new] allowances will apply retroactively for the previous six months and will be paid in January 2019 at the latest,” Tito said on Sunday in Semarang, Central Java.

He added the allowances would be gradually increased until it doubled the current allowance. “[Later on], a senior commissioner can take home between Rp 25 million [US$1,709] and Rp 30 million per month,” he said.

He expected that the increase would boost police officers’ performance and may contribute to efforts to reform the institution, as well as reducing corruption.

He also highlighted data suggesting that only half of police officers in Indonesia own their own houses, pledging to address the issue soon.